NBL1 Central takes its call from COE

Izzy good? She sure is and she's back to take on our NBL1 teams for the COE. Photo by FIBA Basketball

NBL1 Wildcard Games

Centre of Excellence vs North Adelaide Rockets

Women – Saturday 21/05/2022 6:30pm at the Launch Pad

Men – Saturday 21/05/2022 8:15pm at the Launch Pad

Centre of Excellence vs Southern Tigers  

Women – Sunday 22/05/2022 1:00pm at the Cage

Centre of Excellence vs Forestville Eagles

Men – Sunday 3:00pm at the Nest (Live on Kayo Sports Freebies)

Centre of Excellence Women

The COE Women will be led by Dallas Loughridge a point guard with the Dandenong Rangers averaging 14.5 points already after two games while a familiar face from the Eagles in Izzy Borlase coming off an incredible U20 AJC will be a tough matchup averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and shooting 43 percent from the field. They are 1-1 after dropping to the WNBL talented 5^th placed NBL1 South Bendigo Braves led by Tess Madgen, Abby Wehrung and Kelly Wilson before defeating the 7^th placed NBL1 North Mackay Meteorettes led by the Caps Shaneice Swain but were missing Miela Goodchild to note.  

Likely matchups to watch for Loughridge will be Lauren Badenoch and Morgan Yeager for our NBL1 sides. This COE team average 46 rebounds per game also through a “peach” of a daughter in Jess Petrie (Gold Coast Rollers) and another U20 AJC set of stars in centre/forwards Isla Juffermans (Coffs Harbour Suns) and Nyadiew Puoch (Dandenong Rangers). Both the Rockets and Tigers will need to secure rebounding if they are to beat this highly talented group.     

Centre of Excellence Men

The COE Men will be led by U20 AJC star Rory Hawke from the Townsville Heat averaging 18 points shooting 54 percent from the field and 50 percent beyond the arc and the name everyone wants to see in person the highly talented Tyrese Proctor (12.5 points, 3 rebounds, 2.5 assists). They are two from two yet to lose having taken care of the NBL1 North 8th placed Townsville Heat featuring former Perth Wildcat import Deandre Daniels and the 4th placed Mackay Meteorites featuring a host of well known names in Kyrin Galloway, Adelaide 36ers Emmanuel Malou and Biwali Baynes all on NBL lists in 2022.

Likely matchups for Hawke are Jimma Dau and Malith Machar with their length deterring the shooting ability while Proctor is likely to face a tough assignment from Terry Winn and Brandon Brine. This team bring each other into the fold with their average of 16.5 assists and teamwork crashing the glass through towering centre Josh Ojianwuna, the son of NBL centre Mark and tennis player Nicole; Jensen Bradtke (Southern Sabres) and Bol Dengdit (Portland Pilots). Considering the Rockets and Eagles numbers and experience in this area; I think its likely they might inflict at least the first loss for the COE this wildcard season.